Dear SCC & Friends,
…hearts of the fathers… ~Malachi 4:6
Reflection #171
My dad was my hero, and I wouldn’t be the man I am without his love, discipline and example. It’s out of that framework that I have often said, “Being a father is the greatest privilege of my life.” It’s a sacred trust, which never ends, even after our children mature and start their own families. All of us fall short at some level. It’s easy to denigrate ourselves… “Woulda, coulda, shoulda been a better dad.” The truth is all God wants is that we do our best. There are no perfect fathers except our Father in heaven. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father… ~James 1:17 Being a godly father is not for sissies; it takes grit, determination and resilience. In fact, the national flower of Father’s Day is the dandelion, because the more it’s trampled on the better it grows. A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. ~Billy Graham~
My two sons are fathers now, and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy watching their intensity at a Little League or soccer game. In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, it’s like déjà-vu all over again. As fathers and grandfathers, we are to be men of prayer, principle and courage. Even if your father abdicated his responsibility, you can break the chain of brokenness… You can be the first generation in your family to sow a godly legacy which will affect generations to come. Tell your sons about it, and let your sons tell their sons, and their sons the next generation. ~Joel 1:3 May we be “velvet-covered bricks”, serving our families with love, grace and truth. We cannot change our ancestors but certainly have a huge influence on our descendants. Let’s give them an example worth emulating… And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers… ~Mal. 4:6 We were made for these days… Keep up the good work.
Happy Father’s Day,
Kevin